Money! Money! Money!
by Autumn Kushner
Around this time of year, when the sun is itching to break out of their hideous gray entrapment, the flowers are starting to sprout, and all around, there are hints of green. This season though, the green isn’t sprouting from the ground or growing on trees. Everyone would be a lot happier if that were the case. But unfortunately, the green of this year’s season is protected by robots, tellers, and locked drawers. With the slaughterhouse that the job market has become in recent years with the decline of the economy, those little slips of green have become much more prevalent.
Since the downturn in the economy, pressure seems to be steadily mounting. Many students are dropping out of school because many businesses are no longer hiring part time employees. With tuition hikes and food prices at a premium, even those with parental financial help need jobs. In the College Station market, this prospect, frankly, sucks. Everyone needs a job more than ever and even the best job hunter in the entire world would be hard pressed to find anything here. Those who are working are feeling the pressure as well. With businesses cutting back on their employment, the job loads seem to be doubling and tripling.
With all the added pressure from monetary concerns, it is easy to overlook the things that make people the happiest. Relationships with friends seem to dwindle as the pressure of the cost of a night out falls heavy on the shoulders of those hit hardest. Dating seems to go out the window as well. In the words of a friend, “I don’t have the time or the money to date. I don’t have time to work either but that one has to happen.” In the struggle with every day life, these things which become so hard to pursue and so easy to throw away, these friendships and potential relationships, are undeniably the only glimmer of light in all the pressure.
Counter to what may be believed, hanging out or even a night out does not have to cost much. Hanging out after work, just watching a movie can be a good way to keep people at least knowing that you want to see them, even if you are tired. If drinking needs to be involved, try going on a week night when drink prices are low. In regards to dating, try a picnic on a nice day. Picnics can be some of the most memorable dates and all you need is a loaf of bread, some cold cuts, lettuce and tomato.
So what if the days of Red Lobster and impressively shiny shoes over? Luckily, most girls these days are tired of the fancy food and would rather hit the trail in tennies than the dance floor in stilettos and friends like to talk more than to go to a show. The relationships will help you get through the money mess if you only let it. Putting off sleep or an oil change for an extra day in exchange for some quality time for some person to person contact will ultimately make you more relaxed and feel less like the world is completely against you.